Today I took my 12 yr old, excuse me, 12 1/2yr old Nephew to the range. We had previously had gun safety and basic shooting w/proper stance lessons. He received a H&R Topper Jr 20ga for Christmas. Today I introduced him to the range Co-Owner/Pro, Bob. Bob took Larry to the beginner trap and had him mount the gun first. He was impressed with his stance and cheek weld. He started out beside the trap and gradually worked the arc left and right. Bob was real impressed with his eye/hand coordination. He moved to the other trap that throws flushing and converts to rabbit. Bob said most students don't progress until lesson 4 or 5 to the rabbit. 2 boxes later we were thru. Now Bob says " By the summer I will have you shooting Jr leagues" Larry is about to ask for another shotgun for his B-Day in July (13yr old). He has great taste too. He likes my Beretta 391. As long as Larry thinks about what he is doing he don't have a problem ONE. He would get real tense after missing a bird or two and get that jerky swing and a shoot/stop w/o follow thru. I was proud of him and I told him so after he finished. Sometimes he is just plain hard headed; could it be his gene pool from the RED HAIR!
I shot a round of trap w/my JC Higgins pump. First time at trap in 30yrs, 14 of 25. Would have shot better if the better half,(ask her she will confirm) had not started me off on the wrong foot this morning. I probably shouldn't have even picked up a gun today at all. I did and I smiled. Larry's grandpaw had thanked me last week end when he was in town for taking Larry out and showing him how to be a man. He said he would pick up a case of ammo for Larry. Coming home I asked Larry if he was going to call his pawpaw and he said he was. I asked what are you going to tell him and this was what he said " Bring 2 cases at least!"
Well I hope the fire will burn brightly for a long, long time. It is almost sack time, just had to tell about my afternoon, 5 days at work then hope it's pretty again to try again.
Randy
